USA America's Cup team announce all-American AC75 sailing squad
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com 10 Aug 07:00 PDT
ARC Team USA sailing squad - from the left: Hans Henken, Lucas Calabrese, Louisa Nordstrom, Harry Melges IV, Michael Menninger, Riley Gibbs - August 2026 © ARC
ARC Team USA, the US challenger for the 2027 America's Cup have announced an All-American line-up in their AC75 sailing squad.
The team contains several members of the 2024 America's Cup squad, with the notable promotion of Harry Melges IV, "H4" who skippered the US Youth America's Cup AC40 in Barcelona, finishing second to the Italian Luna Rossa team.
The sailing squad is headed up Sailing Director, by two time Olympic Gold medalist in the Finn class, Giles Scott (GBR), who was part of the INEOS Britannia team in the last America's Cup. He is currently leading the Northstar Canada team on the SailGP circuit.
The rest of the team announced today by American Racing Challenger (ARC Team USA) is:
- Lucas Calabrese - A key member of the 2024 American Magic team, stepping in at the start of the Semi-Finals as replacement for injured skipper Paul Goodison.
- Riley Gibbs - Flight controller and sail trimmer in the American Magic team in Barcelona
- Hans Henken - Flight controller in the US SailGP team and bronze medalist in the 49er class at the 2024 Marseille Olympics
- Harry Melges IV - Skipper of the US America's Cup Youth team and also the Quantum Racing TP52 which won the 2024 52 Super Series championship
- Michael Menninger - Sail Trimmer with American Magic in the 2024 America's Cup and currently in the same role with the US Sail GP team
- Louisa Nordstrom - competed in the 2024 Womens America's Cup in Barcelona, and became a full-time member of the US SailGP team in June 2026
Together, they represent the first six sailors selected to the team’s AC75 campaign as preparations accelerate toward Naples.
“This group represents exactly what we’re trying to build,” said ARC Team USA CEO Ken Read.
“They bring world-class experience, proven performance at the highest levels of our sport and the potential to help shape the future of American sailing. As we continue to build our challenge, we’re committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of talent and establishing a program that can compete at the highest level for years to come.
“Each of these sailors has demonstrated not only exceptional ability on the water, but also the versatility, work ethic and mindset required to help build something bigger than a single campaign.”
ARC Team USA Sailing Director Giles Scott said the selection reflected the team’s ambition to build a group capable of growing and evolving throughout the campaign.
“We’re building a squad rather than defining fixed roles from day one. The America’s Cup demands adaptable athletes who can evolve alongside the program, and we believe this group gives us an incredibly strong foundation to build the team from."
“We have a hugely talented team, and our focus now is on harnessing that potential, building the strongest possible group and continuing to raise our level as we work toward Naples.”
The team says further team announcements will be made in due course as ARC Team USA continues to build its campaign for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.
American Racing Challenger (ARC Team USA) is an official challenger for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, representing Sail Newport. Backed by entrepreneurs Karel Komárek and Chris Welch, and led by CEO Ken Read and Sailing Director Giles Scott, the team is focused on building a world-class program capable of competing at the highest level of international sailing.
The team is working closely with American Magic Services. ARC Team USA owns the assets - the AC75 and the two AC40s that were used by American Magic in the 2024 America's Cup in Barcelona, and the Youth and Womens America's Cups, also sailed in Barcelona.
ARC Team USA will compete in the upcoming America's Cup Preliminary Regatta to be sailed in AC40s in Naples from September 24-27, 2026.